(MENAFN) Progressive Democratic contender Zohran Mamdani is expected to secure victory in the New York City mayoral race, according to projections from news agencies, with more than 90% of ballots counted.

Polling stations have closed in New York, showing the 34-year-old Uganda-born assembly member leading his competitor, Andrew Cuomo, 50% to 41%.

Republican hopeful Curtis Sliwa trails with just over 7% of the vote.

Tuesday’s election saw over two million residents casting their votes, marking the highest turnout for a New York mayoral contest since 1969, according to the city’s Board of Elections.

Mamdani’s ascent, which will make him New York’s first Muslim mayor, has sparked debate across the political landscape.

Younger and progressive voters are energized by his focus on issues like housing affordability and wealth taxation, while moderates and Republicans have criticized him sharply, branding him “communist” for his populist socialist positions.

In a striking move, US President Donald Trump openly endorsed Cuomo – the former New York governor and independent candidate who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani.

Trump also warned that he might withhold federal funds from the city should Mamdani win.

“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the election for mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing federal funds … other than the very minimum as required,” Trump stated on the eve of the vote.

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